Nalari poses at the FAME ward, just before she’s discharged.

Nalari with her daughter-in-law

When Nalari* woke up on a Sunday morning, she was suffering from shortness of breath and her chest hurt. She stumbled to her son’s hut, with whom she shares a compound. Her son, hearing the commotion outside, ran out to find his mother struggling to walk. He called out for his wife and went to buy some medicine for his mother from a local pharmacy, but after an hour, that did not seem to help. With her condition quickly deteriorating, his wife advised that they bring her to FAME. “They will know what to do,” she said.

His wife, Nalari’s daughter-in-law, had been to FAME many times. She suffers from high blood pressure, and gets her medicine here. She was confident that FAME would be able to help her mother-in-law, and immediately she called for a boda boda (motorbike) to bring them the 15 miles to FAME. “It’s cheaper, and faster!” she explained. 

Once at FAME, Nalari was received by our medical team and sent to FAME’s onsite laboratory tests. She was admitted to FAME’s inpatient ward where she received a diagnosis of a chest infection. Once on medication, she started to feel better. 

However, she had a secret confession to make to the doctors: 

“I am a heavy smoker, I think that might have something to do with my bad chest,” she confessed.

Her daughter-in-law explained that despite Nalari being a heavy smoker, she had never been this sick before, and that her condition had alarmed them. 

The doctors talked to Nalari and explained that the heavy smoking is not helping her condition, and there is a possibility of recurring lung infections, progressive shortness of breath, and a decline in lung functioning should she continue with her current lifestyle. 

“I feel so much better since I came here. FAME’s medicine seems to be working! I’m happy. I got good service. The doctors have talked to me about my smoking, and I’ve promised to stop. I will not continue to smoke, as it seems to be hurting me. I will listen to the doctor”

— Nalari

“I was confident that FAME would help her as they have helped me so many times and continue to help with my high blood pressure. I am happy that the doctors have also talked to her about smoking. She smokes quite a lot, from morning to evening. She doesn’t think it's a serious issue, and takes it quite lightly when people mention it. I do not dare talk to her about it, because she is my husband’s mother, so I let him do it. But she brushes him off every time! However, I think this time the doctors may have gotten through to her.” - Nalari’s daughter in law

Nalari is excited to be going home today after three nights at FAME’s inpatient ward. She is looking forward to being reunited with her grandchildren. 

*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share her photos and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical

Planning for FAME’s Future

FAME's strategic plan addresses the intersection of community need and the realistic application of resources available. It is FAME's vision for the future based on where we are best positioned to do more for the patients and communities we serve. Developed by FAME's leadership team in Tanzania, the plan builds on the foundation that was established 20 years ago, and identifies the actions and investment needed to achieve our goals over the next five years.

Strategic Priority 1:

Strengthening Surgery and Emergency Services

General surgery services continue to be resource-challenged in the Karatu region with limited access. Easily treatable conditions are fatal due to a lack of access to safe, affordable surgical and anesthesia care. Blood supply shortages, limited operating rooms, and a lack of doctors trained to perform general surgery also contribute to this. Working in hand with this is the urgent need for emergency services in order to allow FAME to treat more complex cases and reduce the number of referrals it makes. With the nearest dedicated emergency department three hours away, FAME’s emergency response work is filling a critical gap in our region.

$25 – Provide essential surgical supplies (sterile kits, sutures, wound care materials)

$2,000 – Support advanced training and mentorship for anesthetists, OR nurses, and surgical staff

$25,000 – Help equip FAME’s Emergency Room to meet rising trauma and referral demand

Strategic Priority 2:

Growing Pediatric Care

FAME’s investment in reproductive, maternal and child health has established its reputation as an institution committed to the well-being of newborns, children and families. FAME is now looking to further expand its competence in pediatric medicine in order to address the challenges that children, mothers and families face as they begin to grow.

$50 – Provide essential newborn care supplies (feeding support, medications, warming materials, family care kits)

$4,000 – Equip the Special Care Nursery with lifesaving respiratory support” Provide CPAP machines and neonatal equipment that help newborns struggling to breathe—one of the most urgent needs for premature babies

$15,000 – Fund dedicated NICU nursing coverage: Support two nurses on every maternity shift focused exclusively on premature and critically ill newborns, ensuring round-the-clock specialized care

Strategic Priority 3:

Expecting the Unexpected

COVID-19 has illuminated the impact of unexpected events, like a pandemic, to cause a costly shifting of priorities and resources. Mitigating the adverse effects of pandemics, climate change and other potential natural and/or political shifts requires a pre-planned response system.

$20 – Stock emergency PPE and infection prevention supplies

$2,500 – Strengthen FAME’s disaster response team through planning, training, and contingency systems

$50,000 – Support construction of a dedicated multi-function Isolation Ward for future outbreaks and emergencies

Strategic Priority 4:

Investing in Quality Data

Accurate data tracking and analysis are crucial to support continuous quality improvement (CQI) around patient care, patient satisfaction, management decisions, budgeting, government and donor reporting and fundraising. Additionally, FAME’s success over the last 20-years has had lifelong impacts on its patients and far-reaching impacts on the livelihood, health, and wellbeing of the communities it serves. FAME is committed to measuring this impact!
 

$100 – Support data tools for frontline staff (tablets, connectivity, reporting materials)

$1,500 – Build the capacity of FAME’s team to report and use data in decision making

It was a Sunday evening when pregnant Amani* came to FAME. She was not due for another three weeks and was experiencing heavy bleeding and excruciating stomach pain. She knew something was terribly wrong. Panicked, she called a family friend who drove her 30 miles to FAME.

At 34-years-old, this was Amani’s first pregnancy. She had started her antenatal clinics at a local dispensary close to her house, but her friend was adamant that she had to come to FAME. “She would not stop talking about FAME. She kept saying it was a beautiful place with good doctors, and affordable healthcare. I finally came to FAME when I was six months pregnant, and visited the Reproductive and Child Health clinic (RCH) for antenatal consultation. I was so happy with the service I received, so I kept coming back and planned to have the baby here.”

Once the pain became unbearable and the bleeding increased, Amani called a family friend and asked him to bring her to FAME. It was an emergency. From her FAME antenatal clinics, she knew the bleeding was a sign that something was terribly wrong.

At FAME, they were received by a security guard who rushed her to the maternity ward. Amani was terrified but the nurses were reassuring. The doctors determined that Amani's cervix was not dilating and that an emergency Cesarean delivery (C-section) had to be performed due to fetal stress.

“By this time I was in so much pain and scared. The woman on the bed next to mine had just come from a C-section, and the fact that she was still alive gave me hope!”

— Amani

As Amani waited to be taken into surgery, she struck up a conversation with the woman next to her, who’d just come from a C-section.

“I talked to her as I was intrigued that she was only gone a short time for the C-section. In the midst of my pain, I was asking her so many questions about her experience! What was the operating theater like? Was she asleep the whole time? Did she hear the baby’s first cry? She was tired but answered all my questions, and she reassured me that it was all okay and that I was in good hands.”

Amani’s surgery went well, and she is now the mother of beautiful baby boy.

“I am very happy. I am a Mama!”

*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share her photos and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical

Viola* is in FAME’s inpatient ward with her 2-year old son who is suffering from Kwashiorkor,  a severe form of malnutrition that presents as swelling due to water retention from lack of protein in his diet. As a result of this, he is also suffering from kidney problems. Admitted next to her is Naeku, who sits with her 2-year-old. Her son is also suffering from severe acute malnutrition, caused by a deficiency of micronutrients, resulting in dangerously low weight and severe muscle wasting. 

Malnutrition is prevalent in Northern Tanzania, where rearing livestock is the main source of food . The nutritional status of pastoralists varies with the seasons, with high malnutrition during droughts, which have become increasingly worse, as FAME’s Social Worker, Kitashu Nganana explains:

“We have treated eight children already this month with severe malnutrition cases, and we keep receiving new patients every other day. The situation is dire.”

Viola came to FAME when her son presented with a swollen face, legs and an enlarged tummy. She was not aware that this was caused by malnutrition.

“I did not know what was happening. The boy was sick and I knew he needed to see a doctor, but I live with my grandmother and we don’t have money. We could not afford the journey to FAME. However, a well-wisher sponsored my trip and helped me get here.” - Viola 

The government of Tanzania, through its National Nutrition Strategy, plans to develop community-based programs to help rural communities address the causes of malnutrition. The government aims to reduce the rate of chronic malnutrition to less than 25% by 2025.

“I’m glad my son is getting help. I’m listening to the doctors and I’m learning about this disease. Now I can afford a smile, as I finally understand what’s wrong with him, and how I can help make it better.”

— Viola

Interested in supporting FAME and its work to provide pediatric education around malnutrition? Click here to donate: https://fameafrica.kindful.com/

*While the patient’s name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share her photos and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical

Lesika* is a young maasai girl from a village in Ngorongoro, five hours from FAME. She had only been married for a year, and she was excited to be expecting her first child. Her three girl friends were also pregnant, and their due dates were within weeks of each other. She was excited to share this journey with them, and was looking forward to parenting their children together. 

“My two friends got their babies in January, and another in February. I was looking forward to my turn! When the stomach pains started, I was very worried. It was not time for the baby to come. I prayed a lot, asking God to save my child.”

— Lesika

Lesika was brought to FAME by her husband and mother-in-law. She had been having excruciating stomach pain for three days. She was only 35 weeks pregnant. Lesika arrived at FAME and after a difficult delivery, gave birth to a son. He was born premature and weighed 2.9 lbs.

The baby was taken to FAME’s Special Care Nursery and put on the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, to provide respiratory support. FAME’s Special Care Nursery is well-equipped and provides round-the-clock care for premature babies, as well as babies who have a low birth weight or need care for neonatal health issues. FAME has a team of 17 highly trained nurse-midwives who care for the babies and offer support to the mothers.

FAME had over 100 admissions to the special care nursery last year and is on track to support even more in 2022.

After 32 days, Lesika’s baby was doing great and finally able to breastfeed fully. He was also gaining weight and already up to 3.4 lbs. 

“I’m very happy. My husband is happier! I’m thankful to FAME, they have done so much for us. When I came here I was very sick, but now I’m healed and I have my child. I have named him Moses because I like the name. My husband will give him a Maasai name, as that’s the important one!”

— Lesika

“I can’t wait to go home and introduce my son to all my friends! I’m certain when our kids are older they will be the best of friends!”

Moses will need to reach certain milestones before he and Lesika can be allowed to go home. But Lesika enjoys spending time with her son at the maternity ward, and is happy to be a mom.

*While the patients’ name has been changed to protect privacy, permission was secured to share their photos and story with FAME supporters, and to raise awareness of available medical care at FAME Medical.